Disneyland is jeered over ride restyling

I wrote about this a few weeks back on my blog because I found this "save the rainforest"-campaign that was started by some fans, so hilarious.

Think about it: Disney destroys their artificial rainforest and people are freaking out about it. The irony!

About ten minutes after I put my article online I had a visit from the Disney corp. in my statcounter. They didn´t leave a comment, though.

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Rob Ascough said:
But really, if this bothers some people that much, why does that bother you?

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But I think the real question is, "Why does it bother you that it bothers them?" ;)

But then why does it bother me that it bothers you that it bothers them?

I confused myself.

The only thing that bothers me about it is that judge, jury, and executioner have already weighed in before the deed is even done.

When they are done updating it, then we can talk about whether it is ruined or not. For example, I'm all for the purists being able to talk about the "fact" that Spaceship Earth is "ruined" with the new descent.

Of course, casual park visitors love the new attraction, including the descent, and it's generating longer lines than the old version did in a decade or more.

But, that's neither here nor there in the navel-gazing discussion of What Would Walt Want, and I don't begrudge anyone that conversation.

But, in this case, we're *way* too early to decide that life as we know it will end if they do "it", because we don't know what "it" really is. And, in my book, WDI has gotten it right more often than they've gotten it wrong recently when upgrading/replacing attractions.

Do they always get it right from my perspective? No, there are some things I think they hurt by upgrading. But, they've got a fighting chance, and it's at least worth trying to freshen things up from time to time.

^They took Snow White out of Spaceship Earth! Darn them. I wasn't that big a fan of Spaceship Earth, but they removed Snow White, they took out all those cool lights, and they put a something over the girl's grapefruits. What else is in that ride that's, that enjoyable? The smell is pretty good though. I think they still have the smell. I haven't been on the new addition, but I seen videos of it.

I don't see how this small world is such a big deal. Heck, this probably would make me go on this ride because I know "famous" characters. There is actually something for me to enjoying looking at now instead of "just kids".

I think the reason why they never included America is because you are worried about other people getting along, and not about ourselves. Doesn't America need to get along with America though too? So, I think it is a good idea to represent all countries. Some people believe that ALL Muslim Americans aren't American at all. We need to get along with ourselves too! *** Edited 3/31/2008 5:02:20 PM UTC by Spinout***

I happen to like the new descent, but I would only call it "amusing", not "wow". But, I have fallen asleep on the old descent, so the new one is an improvement, even if modest.

The ascent has really been upgraded---many of the animatronics are now A-100s, and it shows. The cave drawing effect is very cool, and I happen to really like the Wozniak garage.

People got really fired up over Kennywood updating The Old Mill even though it was updated a number of times throughout its history. And thats just Kennywood...

I don't say I agree with this kind of reaction but I think you need to look at things from a different perspective. This kind of behavior is not limited to the amusement industry- when you get people that are truly passionate about something, they're going to overreact to change even before change has a chance to occur.

Maybe it seems ludicrious to us, but I think it's stuff like this that serves as a reality check and keeps bad decisions from being made. I admit the changes being made to Small World aren't all that intense, but maybe Disney would be less cautious and more careless if they didn't fear a backlash from these diehard fanatics?

^I hated that they changed the tv guide in the paper. I learned to like it. Now, they changed the tv guide again, and I wonder why did they change it? Now, I'm going to have to like this new tv guide. People don't like changes, and thus Disney people aren't going to like it either.

It has to happen for them to get more people on that ride. Otherwise without those changes, those rides probably wouldn't be there.

^^But Kennywood "updated" to a pre-outdated IP...Garfield was yesterday's news BEFORE Old Mill got rethemed. Just noting... ;)

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rollergator said:
^^But Kennywood "updated" to a pre-outdated IP...Garfield was yesterday's news BEFORE Old Mill got rethemed. Just noting...

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They should re-update it to a Garfield Minus Garfield theme. That would be in style...and entirely entertaining. :)

(sorry, but I find those to be hysterical)

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maybe Disney would be less cautious and more careless if they didn't fear a backlash from these diehard fanatics?

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I doubt it, personally. I know some of those folks, and they'll keep going, and spending cash, no matter what the Rat does. Mind you, they'll b*tch about it the whole time, but they won't go any less frequently, and they won't spend any less money. They're already hooked. The Disneyana community's threats to boycott are truly empty.

No, these changes were all made for the average visitor---and those folks make up the bulk of annual attendance and spending, and can imagine going someplace other than Disney for their next vacation. The good news is: if the original WED philosophy was correct, then designing for this goal should also keep the traditionalists happy for the most part.

For example, most people rave about the new Mansions, even the traditionalists. Most of the traditionalists I know will begrudgingly admit that the Deppification of Pirates was done tastefully.

In any event, though, I don't mind carping about how this or that update is nothing more than spitting on Walt's grave. But, let's wait to see the update before we decide it's excrement.

LOL Gonch. That would be an outstanding prank.

Mickey is peering.
Purists are jeering. Perhaps
World is not so small?

Good lord, it's spreading!

For a second I thought you wrote, "Mickey is peeing".

Now that would have been interesting to see on It's a Small World.

If they want to update the attraction, why do they have to insert Disney characters? Why not just add Kosovo, Palestine, and about 14 former soviet republics?

Even better ... repurpose the puppets from TEAM AMERICA!!!! Now that's cool!

RGB: because there are only so many ways to depict grey, drab communist-industrial architecture...

I agree with Brian that we should wait and see. But personally, I like being able to experience attractions that arten't trying to sell me something. After all, I'm pretty sure I'd already paid a tidy sum to have fun there.

That being said, I *kind* of like Depp in Pirates (made me laugh out loud...probably for the wrong reasons)...and I always have a blast on the Buzz Lightyear attraction. And I'm looking forward to taking Jr. on Nemo this summer.

Also, Rob made a very good point further up about folks getting worked up about folks getting worked up. And Gonch made an even better point about getting worked up about folks getting weorked up about folks getting worked up. Let's just remember that we're on a rollercoaster forum here folks. How weird is that?